On her first visit to Basra, UN Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert says the UN is committed to assisting the people of Basra

Basra, Iraq, 18 February 2019 – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, paid a visit to Basra to hear firsthand from local officials and civil society their views and concerns regarding the situation in the governorate in southern Iraq.

During her one-day visit, the first to the governorate since she assumed her responsibilities as UN Special Representative for Iraq two months ago, Ms. Plasschaert met separately with the Governor, Mr. Asaad Al-Eidani, Chairman of the Provincial Council, Mr. Sabah Al-Bazzouni, and also held a discussion with representatives of civil society and demonstrators.

Basra has seen a series of protests in the last year, in particular by young Basrawis demanding improved public services, jobs, and an end to corruption.

In remarks to journalists, the Special Representative said her visit was to get an insight into the situation in Basra in terms of economic development, the state of services and efforts to address the needs of the people. “The UN is committed to work with the authorities in Basra to make life every year a bit better here.”